The Mechanic's Mate Read online

  He went back through his checklist making sure he had everything needed to help her through this. The wool blanket! He almost missed packing the one thing she’d need most after shifting back. Were’s bodies endure so much when shifting to wolf and back again that the new ones go into shock. It leaves the person unable to control their shaking while ice flows through their veins, deep in every mending bone. No longer affected after a shift, he’d almost forgotten.

  “Maybe I should pack something warm to drink after?” he called to Marek, who had stopped by and now rooted around Domek’s kitchen. The tall man with short dark hair turned around to face him. His brown eyes were capped with thick Italian, expressive eyebrows, showing that he was in mid-thought. Marek raised his hand to scratch at his constantly scruff covered chin.

  “When your dieselhead first gets up she keeps asking Kara about getting coffee. How does she put it? Oh yeah, she says”-clearing his throat attempting a horrible impersonation of Sadie-“how do you people survive in this place without coffee?”

  Domek frowned. “I have the herbal teas the healer has given me. Who do we know that has coffee? Do you think one of the Scrubs would have some?”

  In the eighty years since the war, enclaves would get occasional humans wishing to leave the noise and live the quieter simple life of Weres, but without the wish to become one. The wolves called them ‘Scrubs’ because they came to enclaves searching for a cleaner life. The humans would warble on about scrubbing the city from their souls.

  The reformed dieselheads respected the wolves’ hierarchy, participating in things like working the land, and caring for the livestock. They also joined the pack in worshipping Gaia, something most dieselheads stopped doing generations prior to the war. Humans began worshiping money, power, and large loud machines. However, Scrubs didn’t move within the enclave proper, they preferred to stay on the fringes. He understood why too. Without becoming a werewolf, no one could understand what living as one entailed, especially the desires of one.

  “Marek, I want you to go now, find a Scrub with coffee.” As Marek reached the door he added, “And whatever it’s brewed in!”

  “Why is this so important to you? You’ve never provided hot drinks for the new ones.” Raising an eyebrow he questioned, “Is there something special about her?”

  “What does that mean? What are you insinuating?” Domek replied defensively.

  “I don’t know man, but you’re acting different, like you’re her sire . . . or mate.” He gave a nonchalant shrug, heading out.

  Domek walked to the wardrobe, and flung the doors open. Digging through the items within, he found the thickest, softest woolen blanket he had. He shook it out inspecting every inch for threadbare areas or holes. Then what Marek said hit him.

  Full moon! I do treat her differently. He had to admit to himself that this one was different, and Sadie’s first change had him more concerned than usual. Domek acted as though he sired her, like some unpaid debt to Eridon now made him responsible for her wellbeing. Well, I don’t owe that sack of shit anything! He made his choices, and brought every consequence on himself.

  He stopped to scratch his neck, and then stuffed the blanket in his bag. Marek was taking too damn long. Why did Domek send the beta? He should have just gone himself. Days could pass before that stubborn wolf did anything his alpha ordered. It would be like him to stop home first for a pre-shift quickie with Kara, the insolent ass. The longer Dom waited, the slower time moved, and the more he paced. As his wolf twitched nervously, he knew Sadie would be even worse. He needed to go to her, and make sure she coped during this time.

  Tension built up until Domek bellowed out, “Damn it, Marek, hurry up!”

  Sadie paced the living room rubbing her arms to fight the crawling sensation lurking under her skin. Where was her alpha? She needed him. Now.

  This is not like me, I’m getting werewolf madness aren’t I!

  She had been circling the room for a while now identifying internal tidal shifts, though she’d never even been near any ocean. Something prowled through her mind and pushed against her as the night grew closer. She fought to relax, tilting her head at a rustling outside. A big inhalation revealed that he’d blessedly arrived. She turned running out the door toward his scent without closing it behind her, heading straight at the silhouette in the fading light. Sadie, without pause, jumped. She wrapped her arms and legs around him with the strength of a vice. Finally, the crawling sensation relaxed. Unsure what made her need him, the overwhelming relief with his proximity kept her from questioning the fact that it just did.

  Domek’s arms contracted around her as he chuckled. “So you’re happy to see me?”

  She smiled against his cheek. “I’m sorry, I just . . .”

  “Shh . . . I know, no need to explain. I’m sorry it took me so long, but we need to get a move on. We’ll have to hike back a bit into the woods for this, to an area I can keep you herded away from both city and enclave.”

  Dom eased Sadie’s feet to the ground, prying her arms from around his neck, but keeping one of her hands entwined with his. He pulled her back up the porch, so he could close the door, before they headed east.

  “Take a deep calming breath and relax into the moon’s pull. That itching crawling sensation is your wolf, and she’s ready for you to let her out to play. After your first shift you will learn to let her out or hold her in at will, but this time she needs control. So, the other part of you will want to push the human back and take over at first, stretching her new legs. Don’t be alarmed, I’ll help you come back up.”

  Sensations warred within her. If not for the warm hand holding hers, Sadie would have split in two. When they stopped at a wide-open space he turned and grabbed both of her wrists, running his thumbs on their pulse points with a light touch. “Ready. You will tell me if you are uncomfortable.”

  Even though he hadn’t formed the statement as a question, he waited for her nod of assent. Unbuttoning her blouse, Domek appeared to be studying her. His hands slid under the fabric covering her shoulders pushing the shirt down and off. She wore a black bra, with seams stitched in the city slicker high fashion way that brought each breast up and out, into a peak. Lingering just above them, he hovered his fingers over each seam. She could feel the heat of them, but not their touch, causing tight peaks underneath the material. She had no idea where her diesel ideology went. Sadie should be offended by his bold actions, but her body and soul asserted that what this male was doing felt right. She wanted him to touch her more than anything right now.

  Slowly moving behind her, Domek unhooked her bra. He pressed his chest into her back, leaning forward to ease down the thin straps. As the cups gave up their claim to her breasts, he let the undergarment fall to the ground. Despite uncertainty about being nude she held still, suppressing every urge to cover herself. Moving around, he stood in front of her.

  “Sadie, look at me. Look right at me.” He waited as she swallowed, took a deep breath, and focused on his eyes. “You are my wolf, mine to care for. As your alpha, I have the responsibility to teach and discipline you, but I do not have the right to touch you without your consent.”

  She fought shying away as his fingers brushed under the skirt’s waistband. He wasn’t Eridon. Sadie knew he would stop with a single word or indication, but she didn’t want him to. Domek released the button at the small of her back, lowered the zipper, and dropped down to both knees, pulling the fabric down with him until it lay about her ankles. Sadie trembled as she tried to hide how his fingers brushing her skin affected her.

  “Put your hand on my shoulder for balance,” Domek said in a tender tone. Lifting one leg out of the pool of material, he gently removed her shoe, then repeated the same action for her other leg.

  Leaning back on his feet, he remained on his knees inhaling deeply. She knew he could smell her arousal.
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br />   Sadie was taken by surprise when she heard her undies tear; her hips pulled toward him with a forceful tug. Already feeling off kilter, she just about fell over from the unbalancing manipulation. She shivered slightly as cold air blew through her short curls.

  Lost in the new sensation, she almost didn’t notice when Domek released her and stood. Taking a couple steps back, he started to undress while explaining what to expect with her first change. He said something about him shifting part way and pushing the change at her, then his voice became nothing but a background buzzing noise. Sadie found she could only half listen, staring, transfixed on his chest. Her gaze locked onto a solid wall of muscle with a light dust of hair as black as night.

  Not too much, not too little. Lowering her eyes down his abdomen, she imagined hearing the noise made when running something down a washboard. The muscles led to a defined ‘V’ starting at his hips and arrowing down toward the dark black hair surrounding his cock.

  Her mouth watered. She wet her dry lips. Did she remember wanting to run her tongue over every inch of his body this much the first time he stripped and shifted for her? I bet the alpha tastes divine. Sadie imagined kneeling before him, eyes averted, as his fingers pressed into her head using his free hand’s thumb to open her jaw, placing that cock in her mouth. The firm pressure of its smooth head sliding in and out on her tongue. She could almost feel the vibration of his moan as she pleased him. Despite similarities, this vision filled her with warmth, unlike reality with Eridon.

  “. . . and, Sadie, have you heard a thing I’ve said?”

  “Mmm, so sheik.”

  “Sadie!”

  “Oh goddess, I’m sorry, um, I just, er, watching you, I . . .” she said, glad dark night surrounded them, masking the heat of a blush searing her cheeks . . . and her hands, and feet, and . . . and deep in her core . . . So Hot, oh goddess, too hot . . . “Alpha, something’s wrong, I think I’m catching fire!”

  “Look at me now, Sadie!” Domek’s stern voice broke through the panic and she fixed her gaze on him.

  He shifted into a half man, half wolf form. He now had a human face, with a wolf’s muzzle, and normal arms leading to paws . . . and claws. He balanced on legs, normal from the knees up, but all wolf below. She marveled in the wonder of his transformation until the shift hit her hard, doubling her over. Sadie’s bones fractured. The audible crack of an entire skeleton breaking, coupled with aftershocks of violent snapping, dropped her to her hands and knees. A stinging sensation crawled over her skin, like insects biting relentlessly. She clenched her teeth, pleading eyes locked on her alpha as he completed the change to wolf.

  Domek’s ice-blue eyes remained fixed on her the entire time, a calm in her body’s raging storm. Standing on all fours, eyes watering, the breaking stopped, giving her a blissful moment. Then her bones began reknitting and stretching. She screamed, or tried to, but filtered through a muzzle, her call came out in a whimpering howl.

  Peaks of unbearable pain ebbed as the wolf stretched and laid down, panting heavily. In next to no time, a prodding at her side prompted a lazy glance over at the enormous black wolf standing beside her. In clumsy movements she worked to get up on her feet. The next nudge all but knocked her over. Drawing her ears flat back, she growled and bared teeth.

  The new wolf trotted off toward towering trees ahead, she stopped to smell a patch of soil, the tall grass, and flowers along the way. She could sense the black wolf nearby, tracking every movement. Holding her tail down, but tipped up at its end, she remained unsure if he presented any threat. His tail stood high and proud, she gave a little snort at what his stance implied, as she took off running.

  The wind whispering through her fresh fur infused her soul with joy and freedom. She saw him again up ahead and yipped, halting to run off another way. Water, she could smell water and ran toward it. He trotted beside her, but somewhat ahead, cutting her off with a bow to play.

  Surprised by his action, she crouched down and bared teeth. The larger wolf gave his head a quick shake, displaying dominance by holding head, ears, and tail high while trotting around, bumping her with his shoulder now and then. Even knowing he was alpha, sensing safety and protection with him, she wanted to go down for a drink. She snapped at his snout once and found herself pinned at the neck in a lightning fast movement.

  Chapter 9

  Sadie’s consciousness surfaced with teeth pressed into her neck, not breaking skin, but restricting her breath. In a flash all previous actions flooded in, filling her memory gaps to know the alpha’s powerful maw held her down. She stopped struggling and relaxed, exposing a vulnerable belly, stretching in a sign of submission.

  Releasing her he stepped back, standing tall. Rising slow, tail tucked, she placed a couple apprehensive licks just under his muzzle. A quick swipe of his tongue in return signaled his acceptance. He backed into a bow and yipped, his tail wagging, prompting her to respond in kind. Alive and carefree she bounded around him, playing like a puppy.

  She flew, running so fast on four legs they floated above the ground. Approaching at full speed, she yipped then took off, initiating a game of chase. Catching up quickly, he pulled back, letting her lead. Everything that passed at this speed still remained clear and crisp, not blurred as with human eyes. Feeling nips from behind, Sadie turned around, chasing him for a bit. He obviously held back his speed; the stride on those long legs gave him one step for every three of hers.

  Sprinting past, he redirected her attention toward fresh water. Bending down to lap up a drink, she stopped, transfixed by a reflected image. The glassy calm pond showed a small wolf tilting their head one way, then another. Pacing a little circle, enraptured, Sadie’s gaze never left the pool, reminiscent of doing a twirl in front of a mirror as a human. Covered in a light tawny intermixed with cinnamon color, her head and back contrasted the white belly and face, all topped off with a spot of black tipping her tail. Familiar hazel eyes staring back from such a different face left her a touch bewildered.

  Glancing at the male’s reflection she found him staring at their images as well. His wolf loomed over hers, much larger, so powerful. Lapping up cool water, she satisfied all final vestiges of thirst then sidled up next to him for a bold lick under his muzzle. One corner of his mouth kicked up, returning the action. Without a second look, he headed up away from the pond, as though he knew she would follow.

  Moments later Sadie heard a rustling. She eased into a slow predatory stalk, and then shifted directions. Taking off without hesitation, her intrusion caused a family of rabbits to scatter off in different directions. Choosing which to follow in an instant, she thanked Gaia her prey hadn’t been a bear, chastising herself for being a fool who didn’t even consider smelling upwind prior to diving in.

  Chasing the largest hare first, she concluded it just moved too fast. Sadie shifted direction a bit too hastily, becoming a rolling mess of legs and fur, struggling to right herself again. She changed pursuit after a smaller, much slower one. Keeping the hare in her sights over and under branches, switching course to keep on its trail, she prayed that trees had blocked Domek’s view of her mishap.

  Sadie shut down all emotions, keeping human sensibilities from focusing on what would happen with this hunt’s conclusion. When the juvenile switchbacked, she pounced, gripping its neck. Holding teeth tight through panicked struggling, she bit down, and flipped her head hard, snapping its neck. A fleeting realization of killing for the first time came and went. She glanced up, zeroing in on her alpha, and approached him to deliver dinner at his feet. Tail wagging proudly, she presented a successful hunt. Picking it up in his maw he moved them into a meadow nearby to drop her prey at the edge. Domek gave her a nuzzle, motioning her to eat then took off again.

  Domek didn’t explore for too long, returning to find Sadie still beaming with pride as she ate her first kill. Yes, just like any new wolf, hiccups happened
during an inexperienced hunt. Ending up with an immature rabbit being more common than not. However, in his mind, her true success is the fact he would usually have to flush the small prey for a new wolf. But not his Sadie, she found her dinner on her own. My wolf. Not Eridon’s, but his.

  Growling, she worked at getting every bit of chest cavity sinew still left deep inside. Missing opposable thumbs caused obvious frustration as Sadie pawed at the carcass. Having to endure a change, run, and hunt would have her famished at this point. Trotting back, Domek sank his teeth into the buck’s neck, tensing every muscle in his body. Using all his strength he drug it out into view.

  While proud of how she hunted alone, as alpha a need still sat unsated in his chest. Walking over, he nudged her side with his muzzle. Sadie refused to move, so Domek nudged a bit harder this time. The stubborn she-wolf continued to lay there, ears laid partially back, tail tucked flat, and brow furrowed.

  He knew that, although prideful, she didn’t have an ounce of arrogance in her, so proceeded huffing at her with a wagging tail. She needed to eat more for strength to shift back, so he added nips until she stood. Herding her with constant pressure of his body, he forced Sadie down next to it by pressing his head atop her shoulders.

  Baring his teeth, they sank into flesh taking the first bite. Tearing it off violently, exposing fresh meat below, Domek proceeded to eat as she waited. Yes, he’d provided it for her, but an education on normal pack feeding behavior and of his place as alpha, remained necessary as well. He ate his fill. This is where an alpha would signal a beta to feed. Since his beta was not present he plopped down between Sadie and the buck licking his paws of his kill’s blood.